Energy, Mines, and Resources

Best Management Practices

What are Best Management Practices?
Download a copy of the Yukon Oil and Gas Best Management Practices brochure  2.3 MB

  • A range of practices that can reduce the time, intensity or duration of the footprint on the land base – not usually prescriptive;
  • Innovative, creative and responsive measures or approaches intended to deal with unique cultural, economic, ecological and geographical sensitivities;
  • Planning tools or strategies that increase the chances of meeting the long-term goals and objectives of each project;
  • Selected on the basis of unique, site-specific conditions that reflect natural background conditions and political, social, economic, and technical feasibility;
  • Objective driven; risk and results based; and promote a flexible approach to government and industry cooperation;
  • Not standards which are measured or evaluated for compliance purposes nor are they intended to provide guidance about what is or is not an appropriate land use for a particular region; and
  • Should not be regarded as either exhaustive or restrictive. Additional or different information for a particular project may be required.

Our Goals:

  • Avoid sensitive landscape and habitat;
  • Minimize disturbance;
  • Conserve vegetation and surface soil;
  • Avoid permafrost disturbance;
  • Conserve wildlife and fisheries habitat; and
  • Set the stage for eventual restoration.

The Purpose of Best Management Practices:

  • Guide developers, stakeholders and regulators in determining the appropriate way to carry out exploration and development activities;
  • Contribute to the establishment of a viable and economic oil and gas industry;
  • Conserve biodiversity and protect the essential characteristics and functions of the environment;
  • Ensure competitive economic and subsistence interests are accommodated in the design and planning of oil and gas projects;
  • Provide information on current oil and gas best practices both in general and within a unique northern landscape; and
  • Promote a better understanding of responsible environmental stewardship and sensitivity to community interests in oil and gas exploration and development in the north.

Best Management Practices Contact:

Kirstie Simpson
Senior Advisor Sustainable and Integrated Resource Management
Department of Energy, Mines and Resources
Phone: 867.393.7424
Email: kirstie.simpson@gov.yk.ca